Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, an internationally recognized cancer and chronic disease health disparities researcher, is interim chair and professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UT Health San Antonio, where she also is founding director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and associate director of cancer prevention and health disparities at the UT Health San Antonio Cancer Center.Over 30 years, she has led behavioral and communications researchthat reduced cancer and chronic disease, increased screening rates and clinical trial accrual, and improved healthy eating and physical activity among U.S. Latinos. Dr. Ramirez directs the Salud America! multimedia program to empower healthy changes to promote healthy weight among Latino children (www.salud-america.org and @SaludAmerica on social media). She also uses innovative technology—such as text messaging, social media, and mobile apps—to reach Latinos in real-time with behavior-change messages and interventions on smoking cessation and other topics. She also has trained or mentored more than 250 Latino undergraduates, doctoral students, and early-career investigators, and directs the Exito! training program to equip master’s-level students to seek doctorates and cancer research.
Dr. Ramirez is on the scientific advisory boards of Susan G. Komen, Avon Foundation for Women, and LIVESTRONG. Locally she also is a member of the San Antonio Mayor’s Fitness Council. Her recognitions include: 2007 election to the National Academy of Medicine; 2011 White House ͞Champion of Change͟; and 2014 APHA Everett M. Rogers Public Health Communication Award. Dr. Ramirez received MPH and DrPH degrees from the UT Health Science Center at the Houston School of Public Health.
